Tiger Woods had a leisurely early morning aboard his luxury yacht — Privacy.
He took in the early morning action and saw the field struggling in the high winds at Shinnecock Hills as the first round of the 118th U.S. Open got underway.
“My game plan was not to make any ‘others,'” Woods said in a somber tone after he was bashed and battered in the afternoon winds.
“Making two doubles and a triple is not very good,” Woods added. That’s what he had on his way to a head-scratching 78.
His game plan imploded on the very first hole. His drive found the fairway, he had just 134 yards to the hole. But his second shot violated the first commandment of Shinncock — Don’t Go Long!
He went 80 feet over the green. His first chip came back at him, he then went to the putter. His fourth didn’t make it either. Five on, two putts for seven — triple bogey.
Another bogey at two put him four-over. He’d settle down somewhat until the 13th and 14th holes did him in. A four-putt at 13 gave him a double, then at 14 he made another double.
“With the wind blowing, things changed dramatically,” Woods pointed as conditions were nothing like the docile practice rounds.
Woods struggled off the tee, hitting just nine fairways. He hit just seven greens and 30 putts told a sad tale.
“If I putted like I did at the beginning of the year, then we’ve got something,” Woods said, using the “if” word again.
His eight-over effort left him tied for 101st and in danger of missing the cut.
He’ll go back out early on Friday, just after 8 a.m. His plan?
“Shoot something in the 60s.”
